Gidget (1959)

Director:

Paul Wendkos

Writers:

Frederick Kohner (novel)
Gabrielle Upton (writer)

Release Date:

10 April 1959 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

Watch out Brigitte...here comes Gidget!

Plot:

A young girl discovers surfing and love (in that order) during one transitive summer.

Plot Keywords:

Surfing | Surf | Love | Beach Party | Teenage Boy

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Sandra Dee	...	Gidget (Frances Lawrence)
James Darren	...	Moondoggie (Jeffrey Matthews)
Cliff Robertson	...	The Big Kahuna
Arthur O'Connell	...	Russell Lawrence
Bruce Belland	...	Lead Singer (as The Four Preps)
Glen A. Larson	...	Group Member (as The Four Preps)
Don Clarke	...	Group Member (as The Four Preps)
Ed Cobb	...	Group Member (as The Four Preps)
Mary LaRoche	...	Mrs. Dorothy Lawrence
Joby Baker	...	Stinky
Tom Laughlin	...	Lover Boy
Sue George	...	Betty Louise aka 'B. L.'
Robert Ellis	...	Hot Shot
Jo Morrow	...	Mary Lou
Yvonne Craig	...	Nan

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (ColumbiaColor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Iceland:L | Australia:G | Finland:S | Sweden:Btl

Filming Locations:

Leo Carrillo State Beach - 35000 W. Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, California, USA

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

The title character was based on the author's daughter, Kathy Kohner-Zuckerman, and her adventures growing up in the surf culture on the beach at Malibu in the 1950's. As of this note (July 2006), she is 62, petite, healthy and attractive and living in Pacific Palisades with her husband of 42 years. And yes, there was a "Moondoggie", who still lives in California and is an artist.

Goofs:

Continuity: When about to go snorkeling, Gidget's hair goes from being in a braid, to being down and wavy, to being in a ponytail.

Quotes:

Moondoggie: Don't you find Kahuna to be a little on the lazy side?
Gidget: Love makes room for fault.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in These Old Broads (2001) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Cinderella

Gidget is the girl for me

I remember when I first received that movie. I fell in love with it right away. I could actually say the script word for word. "Keep your shirt on, she's coming!" Sandra was fun and exciting in this film. Her bubbling energy kept me laughing and glued to my seat. I recommend anyone to watch it for some innocent and old fashioned values. For example when Kim Novak was preparing dinner and she had salad and lemonade all sitting there before her family was home. Now, how many people have actually experienced that? It takes me to the time when life was innocent and we could use the word 'gay' to mean happy.